USMNT set to play first friendly in Mexico since 2012
The Mauricio Pochettino era got off to a successful start on Saturday, with the U.S. men’s national soccer team earning a 2-0 victory over Panama in Austin, Texas.
Pochettino’s USMNT will face a more difficult test on Tuesday when it plays in its first friendly in Mexico since 2012. While the USMNT hasn’t lost to Mexico on U.S. soil since 2019, it has just one victory all-time in Mexico, which came in that 2012 friendly.
Pochettino brings a wealth of coaching experience to the U.S. program, replacing former coach Gregg Berhalter, who was fired after the USMNT was unceremoniously bounced following a disappointing performance in Copa America 2024. Pochettino was announced as the new USMNT coach on Sept. 10 and has less than two years to turn around the team for the 2026 World Cup following the Copa America debacle.
That journey to the 2026 World Cup got off to a strong start, thanks to goals by Yunus Musah and Ricardo Pepi in Saturday’s win. For Musah, Saturday’s tally represented his first international goal. The win snapped a four-game winless run for the USMNT, as well as a two-game skid against Panama.
Here’s everything you need to know for Tuesday’s Mexico-USMNT match:
When is the USMNT’s friendly against Mexico?
Kickoff is slated for 10:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
Where will the USMNT’s friendly against Mexico be played?
The Mexico-USMNT friendly will be held at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico. The stadium is home to Chivas de Guadalajara, a 12-time Liga MX champion and two-time Concacaf Champions League winner.
How to watch USMNT vs. Mexico on TV
The television broadcast will be available on TNT, with pregame coverage starting at 9:30 p.m. ET. The Spanish-language television broadcast available on TUDN and Univision.
How to stream USMNT vs. Mexico
The match will stream on Max and Peacock, with pregame coverage starting at 5 p.m. ET. Streaming also available on fubo.
Which players are on the USMNT and Mexico rosters?
USMNT roster
Goalkeepers: Ethan Horvath (Cardiff City/Wales), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace/England)
Defenders: Kristoffer Lund (Palermo/Italy), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse/France), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/England), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach/Germany), Auston Trusty (Celtic/Scotland)
Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/England), Gianluca Busio (Venezia/Italy), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough/England), Yunus Musah (AC Milan/Italy), Tanner Tessmann (Olympique Lyonnais/France), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven/Netherlands)
Forwards: Josh Sargent (Norwich City/England), Brandon Vazquez (C.F. Monterrey/Mexico), Haji Wright (Coventry City/England), Alex Zendejas (Club América/Mexico)
Mexico roster
Goalkeepers: Luis Malagón (Club América), Guillermo Ochoa (AVS Futebol/Portulga), Raúl Rangel (Chivas de Guadalajara)
Defenders: Edson Álvarez (West Ham United/England), Jesús Angulo (Tigres UANL), Bryan González (Pachuca), Rodrigo Huescas (FC Copenhagen/Denmark), César Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow/Russia), Jesús Orozco (Chivas de Guadalajara), Jorge Sánchez (Cruz Azul), Johan Vásquez (Genoa/Italy)
Midfielders: Sebastián Córdova (Tigres UANL), Andrés Guardado (León), Érik Lira (Cruz Azul), Orbelín Pineda (AEK Athens/Greece), Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul), Luis Romo (Cruz Azul), Marcel Ruiz (Toluca), Obed Vargas (Seattle Sounders/USA)
Forwards: Roberto Alvarado (Chivas de Guadalajara), Germán Berterame (Monterrey), Ozziel Herrera (Tigres UANL), César Huerta (Pumas UNAM), Raúl Jiménez (Fulham/England), Diego Lainez (Tigres UANL), Guillermo Martínez (Pumas UNAM), Alexis Vega (Toluca)
Christian Pulisic among five USMNT players to miss Mexico friendly
USMNT star Christian Pulisic, along with Weston McKennie, Marlon Fossey, Ricardo Pepi and Zack Steffen will not be available for the team’s friendly against Mexico.
Pulisic headed back to his club team, AC Milan, with what U.S. Soccer called ‘load management.’ U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino had previously expressed concern over Pulisic’s heavy workload.
McKennie — who did not play in Saturday’s win over Panama — along with Fossey, Pepi and Steffen have ‘minor injuries’ and also will return to their respective club teams.
No additional players were added to the roster for the game against Mexico to replace the absent players.
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